Steinmetz goes off for 35; Garden City wins fourth straight

Garden City, KS-Jace Steinmetz was always a walking bucket. 

During his senior season at Garden City High School, Steinmetz averaged nearly 19 points per game. He scored 20 or more 11 times including a career-best 29 vs. Liberal, helping lead the Buffaloes to a 20-2 record.  

So, in essence, Wednesday night's outburst should not have been a surprise to those who watched the sharpshooter dominate local gyms for years.  

The sophomore poured in a career-best 35 points in 33 minutes off the bench, Elliot Ikuobase added 19 points and eight rebounds, and Garden City beat Bethany College JV, 107-89 at Conestoga Arena.  

The Broncbusters, which won their fourth straight game to improve to 4-1 overall, shot 59 percent from the field and 12-of-28 from 3. They outrebounded the Swedes, 46-22 and produced 31 assists, their most in a single-game since 1/17/24 vs. Dodge City (30).  

"The good part about this team is that they've bought into the one-through-13 philosophy," interim coach, Isaiah Tisdale said afterwards. "I preach it every day that you never know whose night it's going to be." 

This night belonged to Steinmetz, who turned back the clock. He drilled five 3-pointers during a 10-minute stretch in the first half that saw Garden City turn a one-point lead into a 23-point cushion, thanks to a 33-11 run. It was 52-29 at the break.  

"Jace played his tail off," Tisdale said. "He played really well." 

Steinmetz didn't slow down in the second half. He swished a 3-pointer to make it 67-45. He followed that up with an impressive turnaround jumper and back-to-back layups that put Garden City up by 21. His drive and kick that setup a Dasean Lewis 3 that gave the Broncbusters their largest lead of the game, 92-67 with 6:19 remaining. 

Ivan Lucente had 12 points and nine rebounds, and Finn Eriksson dished out 11 assists for Garden City. Lewis chipped in 10 points and five assists.